One must-do outing from Zurich, Switzerland, is a visit to Uetliberg, Zurich. Uetliberg is near Zurich and if you only have half a day to hike or mountain bike, Uetliberg, Zurich s a good place to go. Uetliberg is sometimes called Zurich’s own mountain. Here you can find details about getting to Uetliberg and the stunning views you will have once you get to the top of the mountain at Uetliberg.
Looking for other things to do in Zurich? You can do a self-guided walk, visit the magnificent Rheinfalls or take a trip to Lucerne.
How do you get from Zurich to Uetliberg?
You can get from Zurich to Uetliberg in one of the following ways:
- You can take the tram. To do this, take line 13 from Zurich to Uetliberg. The journey takes about 12 minutes and costs between $2-$4.
- The cheapest option is to take a bus (Line 236 bus). This journey will take 19 minutes and also costs between $2-$4.
- Taking a taxi will cost you between $50-$65 and takes about 23 minutes.
- You can take a train from Zurich’s main station to Uetliberg. For train travel, you have two options. You can take the S8 train towards Pfäffikon SZ. You need to change twice during this journey: at Zürich Wiedikon station and again at Ringlikon, Langwis. This journey takes about 44 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the S5 train from Zurich HB to Zürich Hardbrücke station, where you change to go to Zürich, Triemli. In Zurich, Triemli, you change again to go to Ringlikon, Langwis. This journey takes about 42 minutes. Taking the train and changing to a bus or tram costs from $4.40.
- You can also take the S10 train from Zurich’s central station, the Zurich HB, to the Uetliberg train station.
Why should you visit the Uetliberg, Zurich?
The Uetliberg has an elevation of 871 metres above sea level. From the peak of Uetliberg, at the Uto Kulm, you can enjoy a stunning view of Zurich, Lake Zurich and the Limmat Valley. On a clear day, you may even see some Alps in the distance.
How to get to the top of Uetliberg
From the Uetliberg station, you can reach the top by taking a short walk of about 10 minutes. At the top of Uetliberg, you can find the hotel Uto Kulm.
Activities at the top of Uetliberg, Zurich
At the peak of Uetliberg, you can participate in a variety of activities, including mountain biking, hiking, paragliding and camping. Doing a bike tour can be fun.
Camping
You can camp for free at Uetliberg and see the beautiful night sky with its many stars.
Paragliding
If you are adventurous, you can choose from a variety of paragliding flights. Seeing the city of Zurich from up high will be a fascinating experience.
Uetliberg hiking
One of the most popular activities at Uetliberg is hiking. There are several hiking trials to choose from. They all involve magnificent views of Zurich and the surrounding areas.
View from the lookup tower
You can also climb the observation tower on the summit for an even more panoramic bird’s eye view of the entire city of Zürich.
Mountain biking
There are two well-maintained biking routes on Uetliberg, namely, the Triemli or Antenna bike trail and the 500m “Hockler” bike trail. The Triemli trail is 3.5 km long and finishes near the Triemli train station. The second trail is short but steep and perfect for the more experienced mountain bikers.
Walk the planet trail
The Uetliberg planet trail is an educational pathway. It runs from Uetliberg to Falsenegg. While doing this trail, you can see the model of our solar system. The trail starts with a model of the sun. The distance between the planets on the trail is proportional to the actual distance between the planets in the solar system. You can start the planet trail from the Uetliberg station. The trail is a two-hour walk, after which you will reach Felsenegg from where you can take the Felsenegg cable car to Adliswil.
Sledding
During winters, the hiking trails become snow-covered trails for a fun sledding experience.
History of Uetliberg
Uetliberg dates back to the early iron age. The first dig at Uetliberg took place in the 1830s. There used to be an ancient cemetery where the Uetliberg Railway station is.
The name of the Uetliberg mountain is from its Celtic roots. Evidence shows that people occupied the mountain during the early bronze age.
Uetliberg used to house a fort with walls of 14m tall and 35 wide. In addition, there were two rings for fortification. During the medieval period, Uetliberg mountain housed six castles.
Frequently asked questions about Uetliberg, Zurich
How high is Uetliberg?
Uetliberg has an elevation of 870 metres.
What is the best time of the year to visit Uetliberg, Zurich?
If you can visit Uetliberg in November, you may see the summit above a blanket of fog covering Zurich city. Whether you visit in summer or winter, there are always plenty of things to do at Uetliberg.
What can you do at Uetliberg in the summer?
In the summer, you can do one of the hiking routes on Uetliberg, mountain bike or complete the Planet Trail. The Planet Trail takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours and involves walking from Uetliberg to the Felsenegg cableway in Adliswil. While getting your workout in, you can learn more about the solar system.
What can you do at Uetliberg in the winter?
During the winter, snow covers the mountain and they convert the hiking trails into sledding runs.
What is the entrance fee for Uetliberg?
Apart from the transport costs, there is no entrance fee for visiting Uetliberg. If you want to climb the lookout tower, you will need to pay a fee.
Is there a webcam showing the view from Uetliberg?
Yes, there are several Uetliberg webcams. Here is a taster of the view from Uetliberg
What should you pack for a visit to Uetliberg, Zurich?
The following items can be useful at any time of the year:
- Packable down jacket: It is always a good idea to have a lightweight jacket with you in case the weather suddenly turns cold. It is usually cooler on top of a mountain.
- Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the blazing sun in the summer and winter seasons.
- Rain jacket: Just in case it rains, take a rain jacket with you. They fold up small and don’t take up much space in your day bag.
- Day bag: A small day pack to carry all your jackets and water bottle makes hiking up a mountain easier.
- Reusable water bottle: Whenever you travel, hike or bike, have a water bottle with you to ensure you stay hydrated.
Restaurants near Uetliberg, Zurich
The two closes restaurants to Uetliberg are:
Where to stay near Uetliberg Mountain, Zurich
Check out our reviews of other hotels we’ve stayed at in Zurich: The Limmackblick Hotel Zurich and the Leoneck Hotel.
You can book the following hotels if you want to be near Uetliberg:
Beautiful! I really wish I made it to Switzerland. Great photos! I love a good view.
I am sure you will get to Switzerland still – definitely worth going!